Identity Theft/Fraud Information Sheet

What To Do If You Are Victimized:

Step one: Contact the fraud department for the three major
credit bureaus to place fraud alerts on your file. Also obtain
and review a copy of your credit report to determine any
unknown fraud that has occurred.

-Experian (TRW): 888-397-3742

-TransUnion: 800-680-7289

-Equifax: 800-525-6285

-Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline: 800-069-0271

-Federal Trade Commission: 1-877-FTC-HELP or 1-877-ID-Theft,
or electronically at www.consumer.gov/idtheft


Step two: Contact the account issuer(s)in question

-Ask for the fraud/security department of the compromised or 
fraudulent account issuer.

-Notify them by phone and in writing.

-Close all tampered or fraudulent accounts.

-Ask about secondary cards.


Step three: Contact law enforcement.

-Report online crimes through FBI's Internet Fraud Complaint Center
at www.FBI.gov by clicking on the "Report Internet Crime" link on the
left side of the main page.

-Notify the police department in the community where the ID Theft occurred.

-Obtain copies of all police reports made.

-Keep detail log of all contacts made:
*Name of person(s) you spoke to, including title and call back number.
*Ask and write down what the procedures are for that entity.


How to minimize your risk:

*Before providing personal identifiers,know how it will be used and if it will be shared.

*Know your billing cycles and contact creditors when a bill fails to show up.

*Place outgoing mail in collection boxes or the U.S. Post Office.

*Only carry essential identification cards.

*Do not give personal info over the phone, especially if you did not solicit the call
or do not have a personal relationship with the caller.

*Do not discard documents that contain personal identifiers or account info.

*Order copies of your credit report once a year.

*Reduce sharing of your personal information by "opting out" of all programs
that permit your bank or other financial institutions to share your data with others.

*Call 888-567-8688 (888-5OPT-OUT) to limit pre-approved credit card offers you receive.



TO DISCONTINUE THE DELIVERY OF BULK MAIL AND SOLICITATIONS:

Send a letter expressing your intentions to:

USPS Direct Marketing Association
Attn: Mail Preference Service Department
P.O. Box 243
Carmel, NY 10512